According to CNN‘s report ‘Plumes of Gulf oil spreading east on sea floor,’ University of South Florida researchers found oil on the seafloor “all along their way” during a 10-day mission that did get much closer than 25 miles from the BP blowout.

Scientists are now suggesting that the naturally occurring microbes are not be able to breakdown the oil as anticipated. The crude is breaking down “much slower” than was originally thought.

CNN adds, “The oil could well up onto the continental shelf and resurface later, according to researchers.”